SURPRISE, Arizona - February 5, 2026 - Officers were responding to a reported domestic violence incident when they learned the man had left the residence on foot and might be armed. An officer located Gaitan, exited a marked patrol vehicle and ordered him to stop. Gaitan ran onto Reems Road, prompting a foot pursuit. The officer deployed a Taser before both were struck by a passing vehicle.

Both were transported to a hospital. Gaitan died from his injuries, while the officer was treated and released.

The Peoria Police Department investigated with the West Valley Incident Response Team. The Maricopa County Attorney's Office reviewed the investigation and determined that criminal charges against the officer would not be pursued.

Criminal history: Publicly indexed arrest listings attributed to Rudy J. Gaitan, list a July 20, 2019, arrest involving driving with a suspended, revoked or canceled license and hit-and-run damage to an attended vehicle; an April 16, 2018, arrest involving two counts of disorderly conduct-fighting; a September 2, 2017, arrest involving criminal damage and disorderly conduct-fighting; and a December 24, 2015, entry with unspecified charges.

These listings do not establish convictions, and the identity match and final court dispositions could not be independently confirmed. No additional charges or court outcomes related to the February 2026 incident were reported.